Multiple function switch



Nov. 2. 1948- L. E- PONSY 2,453,035

MULTIPLE FUNCTION SWITCH Filed April 9. 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTUR ATTU RN EY$ Nov. 2, 1948. L. E. PONSY MULTIPLE FUNCTION SWITCH Filed April 9,. 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR 022% M I ATTORNEYS Nov. 2, 1948. 1.. E. PONSY MULTIPLE FUNCTION SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 9, 1947 INVENTBR m ATTORNEYS Nov. 2, 1948. E. PONSY MULTIPLE FUNCTION SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 9, 1947.

ATTURN EY$ Patented Nov. 2, 1948 MULTIPLE FUNCTION SWITCH Louis Emile Ponsy, Clichy, France, assignor to Silto S. A., Paris, France, a society of France Application April 9, 1947, Serial No. 740,415 In France January 4, 1947 9 Claims. 1

My invention relates to multiple function switches and in particular to those intended to be fitted on vehicles for controlling thelighting and signal control circuits thereof.

The chief object of my invention is to provide a device of this kind which is better adapted to meet the requirements of practice than those used for the same purpose up to this time.

Preferred embodiments of my invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, given merely by way of example and in which:

Fig. 1 shows, in perspective view, an automobile vehicle steering wheel and a switch device fitted on the steering column and made according to my invention;

Fig. 2 shows this device in perspective view with the casing removed;

Figs, 3 to 5 show this device respectively in axial section, in cross section on the line lZV-JV' of Fig. 3 and in perspective view on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is the electric wiring diagram of the device.

It should be reminded that it has already been suggested to provide a single switch to control a plurality of clifierent circuits, in particular those corresponding to the city driving beam bulbs, the country driving beam bulbs and the parking lights. It is also known to provide, for the switch control member, two kinds of movements, to wit the usual rotation movement and a translatory reciprocating movement along the axis of rotation of the first movement, this in particular to make it possible to switch from country beam to passing beam.

According to a feature of my invention, the switch control member is made capable of undergoing displacements transverse to its rotation axis, in particular of pivoting about a point of this axis,

It is thus possible to increase the number of operations to be controlled by the switch. But it should be well understood that the above feature may be applied whatever be the number and nature of these operations, and that said transverse movement may be utilized in combination withonly the usual axial rotation or only an axial translatory movement, although it is of interest to provide the switch with a push piece Eli , particular carried by the capable, as it will be hereinafter assumed, of undergoing the three above mentioned kinds of displacements, to wit:

a. A rotation,

b. A translation, and

c. A transverse movement, and especially a pivoting one.

Besides, this last mentioned movement may be provided in several difierent directions which may correspond to as many different functions,- for instance in directions at right angles to each other, as shown by arrows f1, 12 in Fig. I.

Such an arrangement will permit of controlling. through the switch in question all the lighting.

' system and signalling systems electric circuits, in

particular those corresponding to:

City lighting (city beam of the headlights and tail light switched on);

Country lighting (country beam of the headlights and tail light switched on), with the possibility, in particular through a translatory reciprocating displacement of the switch control member, of passing from country beam to passing (no glare) beam and vice-versa;

Parking lamps (right side one or left side one) Acoustic signals, advantageously including a city horn and a country horn;

Steering indicator signals, for turning toward the right or toward the left (arrows or any other devices).

In the embodiment shown by the drawings, the contacts relating to these circuits may be grouped in the same casing, such as I, mounted for i-n-- stance either close to the steering wheel and in steering column 2,. as shown (but also adapted to be fixed on the instrument board, for instance by screwing, said casing being for this purpose provided with, a threaded collar 30). A push piece 3 is adapted to undergo any ofv the above mentioned displacements, represented on Fig. l by arrows f1, f2, f3, f4.

It will be supposed that the movements of piece 3 along f3 and ii are used for controlling'the lighting circuits, whereas the movements along f1 and is are utilized for controlling the signalling devices (acoustic signals for h and direction in-' dicator for is).

Concerning now the portion of the switch that is concerned with the movements of push piece 3 in the directions. of: arrows fa (rotation) and f4 (translatory reciprocation), I preferably make use of another feature of my invention according to which:

a. The rotary displacements (arrows f3) of push piece 3 serve to prepare the electric circuits corresponding to the desired operation such as country beam on, city beam on, parking lights on; and

b. The translatory displacements (arrows f4) of the same push piece serve to switch from one to the other of these operations.

Owing to this arrangement, control of the lighting system will become extremely simple for the driver. He will first select the desired circuit, by rotating the push piece (operable through knob l3) into one of its three characteristic positions (a fourth one corresponding to neutral). Then he will give the push piece with a translatory displacement to bring this circuit into operation.

According to the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, the switch includes the following elements:

On the one hand, three rotary contacts 51, 52, 53, controlled by rotation of the push piece rod 3, these contacts coacting with contact studs or other suitable contact elements 51 to is (Fig. 6), respectively connected with the country beam circult, the city beam circuit, with the passing beam circuit, the tail light or lights circuit, the left hand side parking light circuit and the right hand side parking light circuit;

And, on the other hand, a switch device brought into play by translatory axial displacements of rod 3, this device including for instance a hexagonal piece 8 adapted to rotate by tipping against an abutment 9 every time the push piece is pushed (said push piece being subsequently brought back in position by a spring), which piece 3 is adapted to place the positive terminal of a battery (connected through 3! through the intermediate of contacts 12, in communication either with plate l0, connected with contact 51, or with plate I connected with contact 52, said terminal being on the other hand permanently connected with contact 53.

This device works as follows:

In position zero (index 32 opposite 0, Fig. 6), nothing occurs, as contacts 51 to 53 are inoperative.

In the country beam position, at 90 to the preceding one (index 32 opposite R), the tail lamps F are switched on and the driver obtains, according to the position of hexagonal piece 8, either the country beam through 31, or the passing beam through 63.

In the city beam position, at 90 to the preceding one (index 32 opposite V), the tail lamps are still switched on (contact element 64 extending over 90, same as element 53) and the driver obtains, according to the position of hexagon 8, either the city beam (51 being on 62) or the passing beam.

And, finally, in the parking position, at 90 to the preceding one (index 32 opposite S), the driver obtains, according to the position or the hexagon, the switching on of either the left hand side light (51 on B) or of the right hand side light (52 on 66).

In order to mark the angular position of button i3, any means may be provided. For instance I provide an indicating projection 321.

Figs. 2 to 4: show some details of the apparatus. The parts are advantageously carried by insulating plates such as 33, carried by a frame 3 3 to the outside of which they project (Fig. 2), t permit fixing of the wires to the terminals 35, whole is surrounded by easing i.

Rod 3 drives (through means which will be hereinafter described), a spindle d which carries the rotary contacts or elements 51 to 53 and which controls, at the end, the rotation of hexagonal piece 8 in combination with a guiding member 37 with a groove 38. A. return spring for spindle 4 and rod 3 is visible at M.

Contacts 51 and 52 are mounted on pieces 3E1, 392 of square section fixed on spindle l. They are electrically connected with plates it and ii through elastic U-shaped pieces 43 which yieldingly keep them in the desired angular position. A spring 4i ensures contact of the cooperating parts.

Contact 53 is made in the form of a double cam the projecting portion 42 of which is adapted to ensure contact between two elements 43, 44 of a switch inserted in the circuit of the tail lamps.

Concerning now the portion of the switch including the contacts to be brought into play when displacements are given in directions f1 and f2, they are made for instance as follows:

These displacements must take place in such manner a to maintain control of the displacements in directions is and f4, which can be obtained for instance by interposing, between spindie 4 (guided at 36 in the frame) and rod 3, a cardan joint such as 45 (Fig. 3).

Of course, it will be necessary to provide means for yieldingly locking the control member in the median position and, preferably, in the other positions.

According to an embodiment, as shown by Figs. 5 and 6, I provide two pairs of contacts I61, I62 and Iii, i'iz, at right angles to each other, through which passes rod 3, suitably insulated at it, said pairs of contacts coacting with fixed contacts i9, 20, 2 I, 22, respectively connected with the circuits of the signalling devices.

I9 is connected to the right hand side direction indicator, 20 to the left hand side direction indicator, 2| to the country horn, and 22 to the city horn.

Thus, according as member 3 is moved in the direction of arrows f1 or f2, either the desired acoustic signal or the desired direction indicating signal is brought into play,

In order to obtain a yielding locking of rod 3 in each of its active positions, I make use for instance of a locking piece 2G, with which projections 25 provided on plates I11, i'lz are adapted to coact.

No locking has been provided for movements in direction f1 corresponding to the operation of the sound signalling means.

It should be further noted that, as shown on the diagram of Fig. 6, I may provide for pieces E61, E52 and iii, i'iz two distinct current supplied at 45, 46 respectively, this in order to permit, if so desired, of utilizing a twinkling device 41 for illuminating the direction indicating arrows. If this device is not utilized, a connection 48 is interposed between 45 and 46.

In a general manner, while I have, in the above description, disclosed what I deem to be practical and eiiicient embodiments of my invention, it should be well understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.

The

What I claim is:

I. A multiple function switch which comprises, in combination, a frame, a plurality of centact elements carried by said frame, a spindle movable with respect to said frame with both rotary displacements about its axis and translatory displacements along said axis, contact elements carried by said spindle adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned contact elements, respectively, in different Ways according to the position of said spindle with respect to said frame, a member for controlling said spindle, said control member being connected with said spindle so as to be movable transversely to the axis thereof,

and supplementary contacts carried by said frame operative by said control member in response to transverse displacements thereof with respect to said axis.

2. A multiple function switch which comprises, in combination, a frame, a plurality of contact elements carried by said frame, a spindle guided in said frame so as to be movable therein with both rotary displacements about its axis and translatory displacements along said axis, contact elements carried by said spindle adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned contact elements respectively in different ways according to the position of said spindle with respect to said frame, a push piece pivoted to said spindle about at least one axis at right angles to the axis of said spindle, a control member carried by said push piece, and supplementary contacts carried by said frame operative in response to pivoting displacements of said push piece with respect to said spindle.

3. A multiple function switch which comprises, in combination, a frame, a plurality of contact elements carried by said frame, a spindle guided in said frame so as to be movable therein with both rotary displacements about its axis and translatory displacements along said axis, contact elements carried by said spindle adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned contact elements respectively in different ways according to the position of said spindle with respect to said frame, a push piece pivoted to said spindle about two axes at right angles to each other and to the axis of said spindle, a control member carried by said push piece, and supplementary contacts carried by said frame operative in response to pivoting displacements of said push piece with respect to said spindle.

4. A multiple function switch which comprises, in combination, a frame, a plurality of contact elements carried by said frame, a spindle guided in said frame so as to be movable therein with both rotary displacements about its axis and translatory reciprocating displacements along said axis, contact elements carried by said spindle adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned contact elements, respectively, in different ways according to the position of said spindle with respect to said frame, a battery terminal, a rotary part mounted in said frame, said part being rotatable through a given angle in response to every axial displacement of said spindle in one direction in said frame, and contact means controlled by said rotary part for connecting said battery terminal alternately to at least two of the first mentioned contacts, respectively.

5. A multiple function switch which comprises, in combination, a frame, a plurality of contact elements carried by said frame, a spindle guided in said frame so as to be movable therein with both rotary displacements about its axis and translatory reciprocating displacements along said axis, contact elements carried by said spindle adapted tocooperate with said first mentioned contact elements, respectively, in different ways according to the position of said spindle with respect to said frame, a battery terminal, a rotary part mounted in said frame, said part being rot-atabl'e through a given angle in response to every axial displacement of said spindle in one direction in said frame, contact means controlled by said rotary partfor connecting said battery terminal alternately to: at least two of the first mentioned contacts, respectively, a push piece. pivoted to said spin-dle about at least one axis at right angl'esto the axis of said spindle, a control'member carried by said push piece, and supplementary contacts carried by said frame operative in response to pivoting displacements of said push piece with respect to said spindle.

6. A multiple function switch which comprises, in combination, a frame, a plurality of contact elements carried by said frame, a spindle guided in said frame so as to be movable therein with both rotary displacements about its axis and translatory reciprocating displacements along said axis, contact elements carried by said spindle adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned contact elements, respectively, in different ways according to the position of said spindle with respect to said frame, a battery terminal, a rotary part mounted in said frame, said part being rotatable through a given angle in response to every axial displacement of said spindle in one direction in said frame, contact means controlled by said rotary part for connecting said battery terminal alternately to at least two of the first mentioned contacts, respectively, a push piece pivoted to said spindle about two axes at right angles to each other and to the axis of said spindle, a control member carried by said push piece, and supplementary contacts carried by said frame operative in response to pivoting displacements of said push piece with respect to said spindle.

7. A multiple function switch which comprises, in combination, a frame, a plurality of contact elements carried by said frame, a spindle guided in said frame so as to be movable therein with both rotary displacements about its axis and translatory displacements along said axis, contact elements carried by said spindle adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned contact elements respectively in different ways according to the position of said spindle with respect to said frame, a push piece pivoted to said spindle about two axes at right angles to each other and to the axisof said spindle, a control member carried by said push piece, supplementary contacts carried by said frame operative in response to pivoting displacements of said push piece with respect to said spindle, and means for yieldingly locking said push piece with respect to said frame in a plurality of different angular relations to said spindle.

8. A multiple function switch which comprises, in combination, a frame, a plurality of contact elements carried by said frame, a spindle guided in said frame so as to be movable therein with both rotary displacements about its axis and translatcry displacements along said axis, contact elements carried by said spindle adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned contact elements respectively in different ways according to the position of said spindle with respect to said frame, a push piece pivoted to said spindle about two axes at right angles to each other and to the aaeaoso axis of said spindle, a control member carried by said push piece, supplementary fixed contacts carried by said frame and contacts movably carried by said frame adapted to cooperate with said supplementary contacts respectively in response to pivoting displacements of said push piece with respect to said spindle.

9. A multiple function switch which comprises, in combination, a frame, a plurality of contact element's carried by said frame, a spindle guided 10 in said frame so as to be movable therein with both rotary displacements about its axis and translatory displacements along said axis, contact elements carried by said spindle adapted to coopcrate with said first mentioned contact elements 15 respectively in different ways according to the position of said spindle with respect to said frame, a push piece pivot-ed to said spindle about two axes at right angles to each other and to the axis of said spindle, a control member carried by said push piece, supplementary fixed contacts carried by said frame, contacts movably carried by said frame adapted to cooperate with said supp1ementary contacts respectively in response to pivoting displacements of said push piece with respect to said spindle, and means for yieldingly locking said push piece with respect to said frame in a plurality of different angular relations to said spindle.

LOUIS EMILE PONSY.

REFERENCES QITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 561,777 Essberger June 9, 1896 1,717,629 Sawyer June 18, 1929 

